Elf Bar vs Gold Bar : Comparing Devices, Price, Performance (2025)

The epic showdown: Elf Bar vs Gold Bar . We're here to dissect every puff, flavor, and cloud.

 

But how do they compare against each other in terms of product range, performance, flavors, value, and more?

 

Whether you're on team Elf Bar or rooting for Gold Bar , this detailed comparison guide is packed with juicy details!

 

And stick around, because we've got a twist for you – nicotine-free vapes from Cyclone Pods. Safer, smoother, and even more satisfying.

 

Further Reading:

Explore these resources: Discover more through:

A Quick Intro to Elf Bar and Gold Bar

Elf Bars is an electronic cigarette brand that sells disposable vape devices coming in a wide range of flavors, nicotine levels, and sizes. Known for their fruity flavors and colorful appearance, Elf Bars are draw-activated devices, meaning they operate by inhaling through the top of the device.

They are rechargeable devices designed to be used and disposed of after their e-liquid has run dry.

Crafted by the UK-based manufacturer Vape Gold, Gold Bar is known for their opulent vaping devices with a recognizable gold finish. Their lineup includes sleek disposable vapes and pod systems, available in a variety of flavors and a 20mg to 50mg nicotine strength. They’re simple (with few frills) but user friendly and highly portable for the everyday, casual vaper.

Brand History and Background of Elf Bar and Gold Bar

Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.

Founded in 2018 and owned by parent company iMiracle Technologies, Elf Bar is the brainchild of active CEO Victor Xiao.

They’re considered a pioneer in the flavor department of vaping, releasing a wide range of fruity blends and colorful device options. 

Elf Bar has faced criticism for allegedly marketing the products toward young adults with sweet, candy-like flavors. For this reason, they’re discontinuing several of their flavors in an attempt to curb the rising use of their products by underage people. 

In the US, they dropped the Elf Bar name because of a trademark dispute and actions taken by regulators to seize its imports. It has been renamed to EBCreate, selling products under the domain “EB Design.”

Gold Bar is a relatively new brand founded in 2023 by Patrick James Taylor. The brand emphasizes elegance and sophistication, alongside high performance and careful quality control.

Specific details about their regulatory compliance are limited. They seem to comply with the United Kingdom’s TPD (Tobacco Products Directive), and haven’t received any publicly available warnings from the US FDA.

However, this lack of information doesn't guarantee product safety. It may indicate that Gold Bar, being a young brand, hasn’t yet attracted FDA scrutiny or received premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) approval.

Elf Bar vs Gold Bar Comparison Summary

Take a quick look at the features of Elf Bar and Gold Bar vapes before we get into the details:

 

 

Elf Bar

Gold Bar

Product Range

Elf Bar BC/NC/TE/CR/BM/FB Series (Disposables)

Elf Bar CIGALIKE (Disposables)

Elf Bar Lux Series (Disposables)

Elf Bar T Series (Disposables)

Elf Bar 600 (Disposables)

Elf Bar Mate Series (Pod Vape)

Elf Bar ELFA pro (Pod Vape)

ELFIQ E-Liquid (E-Juice)

Gold Bar 600 Disposables (TPD)

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit (TPD)

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit (TPD)

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables

(Note: Availability differs by country)

 

Nicotine-free options available?

Yes

No

Device Quality & Build

Minimalist design, compact,  round edges, sturdy body, plastic construction.

Sleek, matte gold finish, ergonomic black mouthpiece, aluminium and plastic construction

Battery Capacity

Elf Bar disposable range (non-rechargeable): ≈ 600 mAh

Elf Bar disposable range (rechargeable): ≈ 650 mAh

Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 500mAh

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 650mAh

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 1000mAh

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 850mAh

Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength

BC5000: 9.5-13ml of e-liquid.

TE6000: 13ml

Mate 500: 1.2ml

Nicotine strengths (US): 
- 0mg (0%)
- 20mg (2%)
- 50mg (5%)
- 70mg (7%)

Nicotine Strengths (UK):
- 0mg (0%)
- 10mg (1%)
- 20mg (2%)

Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 2ml, 20mg/ml (2%)

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 2ml, 20mg/ml (2%)

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 2ml + 5ml refill tank, 20mg/ml (2%)

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 20ml, 50mg/ml (5%)

Number of Puffs per Pod

Mate 500: 500 puffs

Elf Bar BC5000 (and BC series): 5000 puffs

Elf Bar Cigalike: 400 puffs

Elf Bar ELFA Pro: 600 puffs

Gold Bar 600 Disposables: 600 puffs

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 600 puffs

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: 20,000 puffs

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: 24,000 puffs

Charging Time

30 - 90 minutes

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: 1 hour 45 mins

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: Fast charging time not specified

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: Fast charging time not specified

Safety Features

LED indicator, auto-shutoff, overcharge protection, overheat protection

LED indicator, no firing button (inhale activation), short-circuit protection, overcharge protection, age verification at purchase, batch number product verification

Device and Pod Cost

BC5000: $15.00

TE6000: $9.99

Pi9000:$21.00

Gold Bar 600 Disposables: £6 or $8

Gold Bar Reload Prefilled Pod Kit: £6 (~$8) for the starter kit; £6 (~$8) for 2 x pods

Gold Bar Apollo Prefilled Pod Kit: £9 (~$12) for the starter kit; £5 (~$7) per refill pack

Gold Bar 24Seven Disposables: ~$13 to $19

Customer Support and Warranty

6 months

6 months (devices)
60 days (batteries and mods)

 

Now let’s compare these brands in detail:

1. Design and Aesthetics

Elf Bar’s design is sleek and compact, with a rounded, lightweight finish. They are very portable, discrete, and minimalistic. Elf Bars have no buttons or LCD screens - to activate them, you draw on the mouthpiece, making them very user-friendly.

Gold Bar devices feature a sophisticated gold finish and a compact, rectangular shape with rounded edges for ergonomic handling.

They’re highly portable and hassle free, with no buttons or screens, making them very user-friendly. However, the simple design won’t impress users who enjoy bells and whistles like digital displays and advanced safety protections.

2. Performance and Battery Life

Elf Bars have batteries ranging from 500 - 650 mAh, which packs enough punch to keep you vaping for hours at a time. Their larger vapes typically contain a 650 mAh battery, providing up to 4 days of battery with casual use on a single charge of 90 minutes. 

Elf Bars come with temperature regulation and overcharge protection.

Gold Bar’s battery capacities range from 500mAh (non-rechargeable) to 1,000mAh (rechargeable), offering decent longevity for casual use. However, some users report slower charging times compared to similar devices.

The reusable batteries in Reload and Apollo kits support environmental sustainability. They use USB-C charging for convenience. Meanwhile, the disposables are single-use, including the batteries.

3. Longevity

There’s a reason Elf Bars are so popular in the vaping world - large batteries and larger tanks.

Designed as disposable vapes, Elf Bar lifespans are primarily measured in terms of puffs rather than days. Here are some estimated durations based on usage patterns:

  • Heavy Vapers: 2–4 days, consuming around 4–6 ml of e-liquid daily.
  • Average Vapers: 5–7 days, consuming around 2–4 ml of e-liquid daily.
  • Casual Vapers: 7–10 days, consuming around 1–2 ml of e-liquid daily.

The average puff count per ml for pod-based vapes is around 300 puffs. So, the Gold Bar 600 Disposable and Reload are right on par with industry standards and offer decent longevity.

The 24Seven Disposable is packed with puffs but it only sports an 850mAh battery, which could mean frequent recharging.

Meanwhile, the Gold Bar Apollo shines with an impressive 20,000 puffs and the highest battery capacity (from this brand) at a relatively low price.

4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options

Elf Bar has an almost endless flavor range. However, we can break them down into five major categories:

  • Fruit favors
  • Beverage flavors
  • Candy flavors
  • Ice flavors
  • Mixed fruity flavors

Gold Bar offers an extensive flavor selection across its product ranges:

  • 600 Disposables: Available in 32 flavors
  • Reload: Available in 19 flavors
  • Apollo: Available in 10 flavors
  • 24Seven: Available in 14 flavors

Across the devices, you can find mainly fruity flavors with some minty and tobacco profiles in the mix. However, users may find the pod vape and 24Seven flavor ranges disappointing compared to their vast 600 Disposable range.

5. Vaping Experience

Elf Bars offer a flavorful and simplistic vaping experience. Using only nicotine-salt-based e-liquids, Elf Bar vapor is generally soft on the throat and substitutes well for smoking.

Being easy to use, with an endless flavor range and a variety of nicotine strengths to choose from, Elf Bar can appeal to a wide audience - veterans and beginners alike.

Gold Bar vapes provide a smooth throat hit and consistent vapor production with a relatively airy draw.

They’re great if you enjoy simplicity and ease-of-use. However, if you are a cloud head or love to customize your vaping experience (such as adjustable airflow or power), you may find the experience less satisfying.

6. Health and Safety Concerns

Elf Bars are generally considered safer than smoking cigarettes, yet they carry risks of addiction and various health concerns. Nicotine content of 6% in some of their products is great for transitioning smokers, but they can get more and more users addicted to nicotine in no time.

These can range from dizziness and nausea to cardiovascular disease, largely due to their high concentrations of liquid nicotine and the general tendency for misuse.

Gold Bar vapes offer devices with 20mg (UK) or 50mg (US) nicotine strength, lacking nicotine-free options, which may not suit users seeking to avoid nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can pose a risk to cardiovascular health.

The brand also doesn't clearly share what's in their e-liquids, which might worry vapers who prioritize their health.

7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues

Elf Bar has faced regulatory compliance and legal issues due to its unauthorized sale in the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to 189 retailers in 2023 for selling unauthorized tobacco products, including Elf Bar.

In addition to the FDA's actions, Elf Bar has faced legal challenges and has been involved in trademark disputes. The company has been forced to drop the Elf Bar name after losing a trademark case to a smaller company.

Gold Bar complied with TPD regulations, which, among other points, limits tanks to 2ml. However, they have used a common loophole for their Apollo pod kit, providing multiple 2ml tanks that can attach to the device at once. The TPD regulations are enforced for consumer protection, so this workaround may be something to take note of.

But, there’s little information regarding Gold Bar’s compliance with the US FDA.

Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.

8. Nicotine Content

Elf Bars contain varying levels of nicotine, ranging from sub-mild 20mg (2%) all the way up to an astounding 50mg (5%) nicotine.

For reference, in the UK, Elf Bars are limited to a maximum nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml (2%) to comply with regulations.

Gold Bar vapes use nicotine salts, offering a smooth and satisfying hit with a nicotine strength of 20mg/ml for all TPD devices. The 24Seven vape is not TPD compliant (not sold in the UK), and contains 50mg/ml (5%) nicotine.

9. Compatibility with Other Products

Elf Bar’s proprietary design limits its cross-compatibility, but its popularity has spurred a market of counterfeit pods and accessories, though these can be hit or miss in terms of quality.

Gold Bar products are designed as standalone systems, meaning their pods and devices are not compatible with other brands. However, the rechargeable devices use a standard USB-C charger, making charging convenient and compatible with commonly available cables.

10. Availability and Accessibility

Having found a way to work around the US vape import ban, Elf Bars are widely available in various locations and through multiple channels. They can be found at brick-and-mortar vape shops, convenience stores, petrol stations, and online retailers.

Gold Bar vapes are primarily available in the UK through online retailers and select vape shops. They can be hard to come by in the US, though some online wholesalers sell the 24Seven disposable.

11. Cost vs. Quality

Elf Bars are considered to be a budget-friendly option for disposable vapes, with prices ranging from $5 to $20 depending on the vendor, location, and any promotions or discounts.

However, it's important to note that the cost of vaping products should not be the only factor considered when choosing a product.

Gold Bar vapes generally align with standard market value, offering 600-puff disposables for $8 to 24,000 puff disposables for around $13 to $19. However, a few factors (like limited customizability and lack of transparency around ingredients) can make alternatives appealing at a similar price point.

Pros and Cons of Elf Bar and Gold Bar

To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:

 

Pros of Elf Bar

Cons of Elf Bar

  • Convenient, easy-to-use design
  • High nicotine content provides a satisfying hit for smokers transitioning to vaping
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Replacement warranty for device malfunctions

  • High nicotine content can lead to addiction, especially for beginners
  • Regulatory and legal challenges hamper product availability
  • Doesn't allow customizing nicotine levels or flavors
  • Restriction in flavor range due to regulations.

 

 

Pros of Gold Bar

Cons of Gold Bar

  • Simple, convenient, and beginner-friendly designs
  • Mesh coils ensures consistent and rich flavor throughout the device's lifespan
  • Flavor selection caters to diverse preferences
  • TPD compliance and accessibility for UK customers
  • Pod kits offer more environmentally friendly options

  • Lesser known brand with little information in terms of health and safety
  • High nicotine content with no zero-nic options can lead to addiction and difficulty quitting
  • Replacing pods and disposable devices can be costly over time
  • Lack of regulatory information or widespread accessibility in the US
  • Devices may underperform in battery life, charging, and puff counts compared to similar vapes

 

In short, both Elf Bar and Gold Bar stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.

 

However, both Elf Bar and Gold Bar are not without their regulatory challenges.

 

Now, if you’re on the lookout for a nicotine-free alternative without compromising on the vaping experience, we’ll tell you what’s best.

Cyclone Pods: The Safest, High-Quality, Nicotine-Free Alternative

Cyclone Pods is a game-changer for vapers looking to ditch nicotine without losing the vaping experience. We offer a wide range of nicotine-free vapes, making it easier than ever to cut down or stop nicotine consumption.

 

Our innovative products include the Surge and the Lightning pod kits, as well as the Gust Super disposable range. Pick from our stunning range of:

 

We use only high-quality flavorings, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol in our vape juice giving you big clouds and the purest of flavors. There’s absolutely no vitamin E acetate, diacetyl, or any other addictive substances, including nicotine.

 

We're committed to providing choices that make your nicotine-free journey both enjoyable and satisfying.

 

So, why wait?

 

Find out which nicotine-free vape you’d like to start with now.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

logo-paypal paypal